Boiler-cleaner



W. J. BAUER. BOILER CLEANER.

l APPLICATION FILED MAYIZ. |916. 1,331,452..

Patented Feb. 17, 1920.

f4 ll UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. BAUER, F LINCOLN, ILLINOIS.

BOILER-CLEANER.

Application filed May 12, 1916.

Among the important objects of the iny vention are to produce a more simple and eiiicient structure which can be readily inserted in different classes and makes of boilers; to provide a structure involving a counter-balanced float intake frame which can quickly follow the varying levels of the water in a boiler to keep the inlet openings at the water surface in order to collect and remove scum or other impurities; to provide improved noncollapsible and inflatable float members for the oat frame; and in generalv to improve on the construction and arrangement in apparatus of the class described.

An apparatus embodying the features of my invention is illustrated on the accompanying drawing. In this drawing- Figure 1 is a plan yview of such apparatus mounted on a boiler pipe,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the parts shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on plane 3 3, Fig. 1, a boiler shell being shown in crossseotion,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on plane 4 4, Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view through one of the oscillating joints, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on plane 6-6, Fi 5.

rIrhe apparatus shown comprises longitudinal piping to which cross piping l1 and 12 is connected atl the ends by T-ttings 13 and 14. The transverse longitudinal piping is interconnected and a valve fitting 15 controls the outlet therefrom, the valve lever 16 being connected by rod 17 to the exterior of the boiler in which the apparatus is installed. In the drawings, particularly Fig. 3, the apparatus is shown applied in a locomotive boiler 18 and is mounted on the dry pipe 19 usually found in such Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 17, 1920.

Serial No. 96,984.

boilers. From the cross-piping 11 and 12 pipe lengths 20 and 21 depend from T-fittings 22 and 23 inserted in the piping, and these pipe lengths terminating in caps 24 having loops 25 for receiving the straps 26 and 27 connected together at their lower ends by a bolt 28. When the apparatus is installed the longitudinal piping 10 rests on top of the boiler dry pipe with the pipe lengths 20 straddling the pipe, the straps eX- tending underneath the pipe so that the en-l tire structure is clamped to the dry pipe.

Extending downwardly from the ends of the cross pipings 11 and 12 are the pipe ylegs 29 and 30 to whose lower ends pipe links 31 and 32 are connected by couplings 33 and 34, the outer ends of each set of links 31 and 32 being connected by couplings 35 and 36 with the respective ends of a scum intake pipe 37, these intake pipes having the lateral inlet openings 38. take pipe 37 float members 39 are supported. These float members rest in the water and assist in keeping the inlet openings 38 at the water surface in order that scum, foam or other impurities may enter pipes 37 to be driven through links 31 and 32, the cross piping 11 and 12 and the longitudinal piping 10, and through the outlet pipe 40 w ich is controlled by the valve 15, the pipe 40 leading to the exterior of the boiler, it being understood that the steam pressure in the boiler forces the scum through the apparatus when the valve 15 is open.

In Figs. 5 and 6 the detailed construction of the oscillatory pipe couplings is shown, the couplings connecting the links with the intake pipes 38 and the supporting pipe frame being of the same construction. As shown, each coupling comprises the hollow cylindrical heads 41 and 42 whose inner walls 43 and 44 have aXial openings through which a tube 45 extends, the tube being threaded at its ends for the reception of nuts 46 and 47. Sleeves 48 and 49 extend from the heads 41 and 42 respectively in which sleeves are secured the ends of the pipes which the coupling is intended to connect together. By means of the tube and nut arrangement the coupling heads can be secured together but free to readily rotate relatively to permit the oats to follow the varying levels of the water. In order that the tube and nuts in each coupling may be readily inserted or inspected the outer Walls 0n each inthe floats to atall times keep the inlets 38 in Y `are at the inside of the pipes. 40

the scum inlets at the water surface.

vto follow the low water level.

position to receive scum or otherinipurities. l The float members 39 are also preferably revolubly adjustable with reference to their supporting pipes 87 in order that further adjustment can be made to assure keeping of As shown, each unit 39 is of substantially cylin- `Ydrie shape and is supported in straps or rings 56 at the ends of legs 57 extending from the split clamping slee-ve 58 which receivesl the supporting pipe 37, the ends of the vclamp being connected by a screw 59 anda setV screw 60 being provided in the body of the clamp to engage with the supporting pipe. To adjust therfloat members the set screw 60 and the clampiig screws 59 are lirst loosened and adjustment made, and then the screws are tightened to secure the units rigidly in adjusted positionv with reference to the pipes.Y Preferably the floats. are distributed on both sides of the intake pipes in order to more efficiently balance the floating lstructure -and to reduce the friction at the oscillating oints. As shown best in F ig. 1, the floats at the endof each pipe 37 are at the outside and the two intermediate floats In Figs. Al and 2 the links 3l and 32 are almost at vright angles with the vertical pipes 29 and 30, the

pipes 37 being down a considerable distance In Fig. 3 the links are substantially vertical, the intake pipes 37 being in their uppermostpositions corresponding with high watenlevel. As the levels change the nicely balanced float structure readily responds and the intake pipes 37 accurately follow the water.

In Fig. t the details 0f construction of a Y float unit are shown. I preferably make' the float of two cup-shaped halves Gl and 62 by stamping and drawing from sheet steel, the inner edges of these halves 'having the flanges and 64 between which Iinsert a steel disk or diaphragm 65. -`The flanges and disk maybe apertured to receivev'rivets 66 and preferably the flanges and," disk are welded together to kform an' air-tight' joint. i

' suresl found in boilers.

,"The end of one .cup has a valve thimble 67 inserted therein for receiving the threaded valve 68 adapted for connection with an air pump in order that compressed air may be charged into the float, the diaphragm having the hole or passageway 69. A unit as constructed above possessesV great Vstrength and will not collapse under the heavypres- In order to protect the Vsteel floatI preferably electro-plate it with copper and then burnish the copper deposit with a piece of hard steel in order to close the pores to prevent inoisturefrom penetrating and reaching the steel shell.

I thus provide a simple and inexpensive boiler skimming apparatus constructed of ordinary metal piping, fittings, and simple connecting couplings together with floats of simple and inexpensive construction.V Owing to the arrangement .of the float units, the frictionless couplings, and the counterbalance arrangement, the apparatus quickly responds to and follows the changing levels. To facilitate installation ofthe apparatus a union '.70 may be inserted in the longitudinal piping 1 0. By means of this union' and the disconnectible heads of the piping cou-` plings, the piping can bereadily taken apart for installation and reconnected inside'tlie boiler.

I do not, of course,.desire to be limited Yto'V the exact. construction and arrangement shown and described as'inodicatioiisareno Vdoubt possible which would still come'within thel scope of the iiiveiitioi'i. I claiinthe following: 'j

" The combination with a boiler having a supporting pipe extending therethrough, of

skimming apparatus', supporting frame for said skimming apparatus comprising longitudinal piping and transverse piping at ythe ends thereof, said piping being intercon- Y nected and having a valve controlled outlet,

said piping resting on said boiler pipe, straps.

extending from said vtransverse r piping around said boilerpipe to hold said supporting `frame in place, parallel vpiping arms at each side of .said supporting frame coupled to the respective ends `ofV the transverse piping,fan intake pipe at each-side'of said'supporting frame coupled to the'endsof the respective arms, .said intake' pipes having inlet openings yfor scum, foam or other impurities, an `floatniembers adjustably secured to said intake pipes. Y

In witness .whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this Sthday of May, A( D.,'l916.

Y WiLLiAivi 1J. i BAUER. 

